Common names: Big White Trillium
Binomial name: Trillium grandiflorum
Garden uses: flowers
Foliage: Each plant produces only three leaves (actually bracts)
per stem below the blossom. Leaves are almost as wide as they are
long, smooth-edged, and come to a point.
Flowers: Three-parted, one per stem. Petals are white, becoming
streaked with pink as the blossom ages.
Wisconsin native range: found throughout Wisconsin in woods and
forests
The big white trillium is another spring ephemeral plant species.
Like all Trillium species, the above-ground parts of this plant -
leaves, petals, and sepals - occur in threes. It spreads by
rhizomes, often forming patches of genetically identical plants.
Trilliums do best in partial shade, preferring well-drained soil
conditions.
While it is possible to propagate trilliums from seed, the seeds
can take many years to germinate. Propagation by rhizomes is
easier; carefully dig soil away from the rhizome after all
above-ground parts of the plant have died back and divide, making
sure that each rhizome section has a bud on it.
IMG Emergent trillium
IMG Trillium blossom
IMG Older blossom, showing pinkish color
IMG Small group of plants